The Icelandic Horse

Please click on the link below for an excellent video of the fast tolt. Embedding was disabled by the photographer.

It is believed that the Icelandic Horse was introduced into Iceland from the Vikings over eleven centuries ago. Although called the Icelandic Horse, he is actually pony size, standing between 12.2hh and 14 hh. He was used for centuries on the island as the only means of transportation, particularly in the winter months. The breed is reliable, courteous, resourceful, cooperative, willing, robust, agile, docile, and intelligent. He is stocky, small, deep through the girth, and has an abundance of hair in the mane and tail as well as feather (long hair) at the fetlock. The Icelandic is well proportioned and is rectangular in build. He was not bred for beauty but for work and service. He is an easy keeper and grows a double winter coat. It is said that he has genetic heritage of the Equus Scandianavicus. Coloring ranges from course grey to dun. White markings are fine. Many are pinto in markings. Only Appaloosa is not accepted. Judges look for a clean-cut and expressive head held on a long neck, although the breed is characterized by a rather large head held on a short thick neck!

The Icelandic Horse not only does a walk, trot, canter and gallop, he also does the tolt and fllying pace. He is said to be 5-gaited. The "flying pace," or skold, is a lateral gait used to cover short distances at high speeds. They have been clocked up to 30 mph. Both legs on either side work in unison. The "tolt" which is much like the running walk, is used often to cover broken or uneven ground. The gaits are entirely natural. No artificial training devices are allowed.

It is interesting to note that the Icelandic Horse has no natural predators in its native land. Therefore, it is not given to spookiness like most other horses.

The first breed society started in 1904. The first registry began in 1923. No Icelandic Horse that has left Iceland can re-enter the country. That is also true of any tack as well. The reason for this is to reduce the chance of any disease being brought back into Iceland. These rules are strictly enforced.